Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who signed a 10-year contract extension in late June, had back surgery to deal with an inflammatory cyst and a disc fragment in August. Kings general manager Dean Lombardi told the L.A. Times that Quick's recovery "is on schedule" and he should be ready to go before long.

Quick was initially given a recovery time of six weeks. He's been in contact with the Kings about his rehab --as an injured player, that's OK, even though the league has locked the doors -- so team brass knows exactly what his status is.

The rest will probably do Quick some good. He played in 69 games last year and 72 in 2009-10, so he's had a heavy workload the last three years.

COACH UMBERGER?

Columbus Blue Jackets centre R.J. Umberger won't head to Europe to play during the NHL lockout.

Instead, he's going to serve as a volunteer assistant coach with his alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Umberger announced his decision Tuesday on the Ohio State athletics website.

"With the NHL lockout in full force, I am looking forward to being more connected to the Ohio State hockey program once again," Umberger said. "I'm excited to spend time on the ice with the players keeping myself in shape and hopefully offering any advice and help I can to them."

Umberger, 30, played three seasons at Ohio State from 2000-03 and was drafted in the first round by the Vancouver Canucks in 2001. He's played 551 games in the NHL, recording 143 goals and 171 assists.

WINGS' PA MAN DIES

Budd Lynch, a longtime public address announcer with the Detroit Red Wings, died Tuesday.

The native of Windsor, Ont., was 95.

Lynch, who lost his right arm during World War II while serving with the Canadian Army, started working for the Red Wings in 1949 as a play-by-play man on radio.

In 1975 he became the team's public-relations director and in 1985 the PA announcer.

"Budd Lynch didn't just work for the Red Wings, he was part of the brand," Wings broadcaster Mickey Redmond told the Detroit Free Press. "To me, he was a walking encyclopedia of not only life, but especially the hockey world. We're all better off for having the opportunity to work with him for so many years."

VOLCHENKOV A KHLER

New Jersey Devils defenceman Anton Volchenkov became the latest NHL player to jump to the KHL, opting to join HC Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod during the lockout.

Volchenkov said he had offers from other KHL team but decided to join Torpedo because of the team's "playing style" and the fact he knows a lot of the other players on the roster.

"I'm very glad to be able to help Torpedo and I'm grateful to the club for showing faith in me," he said on the league website. I" know a lot of the guys here. I've met some while with the national team, and I played with Petr Schastlivy in the NHL. It was my first season over there and he helped me settled in.

"I can't say I'm in peak condition, but all the same I've been trying to get fit enough. I understand the season is well underway and I'll try to catch up with everyone else as fast as I can."

Volchenkov had just two goals and nine assists in 72 games last season but also led the Devils in hits and blocked shots.

BRIEFLY

Anaheim Ducks forward Matt Beleskey signed with the Coventry Blaze of the U.K.'s Elite Ice Hockey League. Beleskey, who played 70 games with the Ducks last season, is the fourth locked-out NHLer to join EIHL teams, with Anthony Stewart, Drew Miller and Tom Sestito the others ... New York Islanders defenceman Andrew MacDonald signed with HC Energue Karlovy Vary of the Czech Extraliga. MacDonald played 75 games with the Isles last season ... The NCAA has suspended Anaheim Ducks prospect Nic Kerdiles for the entire 2012-13 season for violating rules pertaining to amateurism. Kerdiles, a second-round pick of the Ducks in 2012, is a freshman forward with the Wisconsin Badgers.